A southern Utah woman has been sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to pay nearly $15,000 in fines and restitution for carving into a protected petroglyph panel on federal land in Kane County.
Daniela Ganassim Ericksen, 47, of Ivins, pleaded guilty to defacing the ancient rock art near the junction of Buckskin Gulch and Wire Pass on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) property. Federal prosecutors say Ericksen carved her name and other markings directly into the rock surface on November 23, 2024.
Archaeologists documented the damage shortly after discovering it and noted that the panel is part of a known cultural site protected under federal law. The incident drew public attention after hikers reported the fresh carvings in the popular recreational area.
Sentence details
U.S. District Judge David Nuffer handed down the sentence on November 17. Of the $14,853 total ordered, approximately $11,853 covers the estimated cost of repairing and stabilizing the panel, with the remainder being a fine.
As part of her sentencing, Ericksen is barred from entering any BLM land while on probation and must send a written apology to tribes with ancestral ties to the site.
Archaeologists involved in the case warned that restoration will be difficult and may not completely return the panel to its original appearance. BLM officials are continuing to monitor the site and working with partners to determine the best approach for long-term preservation.
To report vandalism on BLM land: Contact your local BLM office or call local law enforcement
Appreciate the coverage? Help keep local news alive.
Chip in to support the Moab Sun News.
